This submission comprises a portfolio of seven works and a commentary. The works were written between 2000 and 2005 for various lnstrumental forces. During this time there was a gradual stylistic drift by the composer away from the dissonance of chromatic clusters and back to more tonal folk roots. The portfolio is an exploration of time. More accurately, it is an exploration of suspending the passing of time and how this can be achieved through musicallaoguage. As an accordionist, the composer draws instinctively on its ability to drone (breathe) virtually seam1essly through time and this has become intrinsic to a stylistic identity. The portfolio reveals a creation, development and refinement of a notation system that ultimately allows works to exist in their own time ... even if you cannot escape youe own time.